Why join the course?

Think about the conversations you have had in your workplace over the past few months. Do you ever come out of meetings wishing you had said something differently, felt misunderstood or not been given credit for your ideas? Do you have difficulty talking to people more senior than you? How do you handle difficult conversations at work? ‘How to read your boss’ will provide you with practical tools by introducing you to the world of workplace communication through linguistics.

0:13Skip to 0 minutes and 13 secondsWelcome to the University of Nottingham. I'm Louise Mullany, a professional communications specialist from the Centre for Research and Applied Linguistics. This is How to Read Your Boss. Do you find conversations with some colleagues more difficult than others? Do you ever come out of meetings feeling that you've been misunderstood, or that you haven't been given the time you wanted to express your ideas? Do you ever find it hard to explain yourself to your boss or with others at a more senior level than you? Do you find yourself ever wondering what your boss is actually asking you to do? If you answered yes to any of these questions, then this course is definitely for you.

0:55Skip to 0 minutes and 55 secondsAlong with colleagues, I've spent the last 15 years investigating communication styles in a wide range of workplaces, from small to medium sized enterprises right through to large multinationals. How to Read Your Boss draws upon the findings of this research. The course will provide a basic introduction to a sample of linguistic toolkits to help you produce a quick and effective analysis of your own and others' talk. You will also have a suite of different strategies to draw upon, which can enhance your persuasive presence and impact in the future. This course is unique, as it is based upon the analysis of authentic business conversations that have actually taken place.

1:37Skip to 1 minute and 37 secondsHow to Read Your Boss provides access to cutting edge academic knowledge and practical activities based on how people really talk at work. I hope that you will take the opportunity to join us, and discover how linguistics can help you read both yourself and your boss.

What topics will you&nbspcover?

• Language and culture in the workplace

• Language and identity in the workplace

• Effective communication in teams

• Effective management of rapport at work

• The role of non-verbal communication, including body language and gesture

• Language and power in the workplace

When would you like to&nbspstart?

Date to be announced

Add to Wishlist to be emailed when new dates are announced

What will you&nbspachieve?

By the end of the course, you'll be able to...

Assess the communication styles of one’s own workplace

Reflect upon the most effective communication styles in one’s own workplace

Reflect upon how communication can be enhanced within one’s own workplace

Record instances of best practice in workplace communication

Apply knowledge and understanding of workplace communication in a range of different settings

Who is the course&nbspfor?

How to Read Your Boss will be useful for anyone working in businesses or organisations in public, private or third sectors, anywhere in the world, including managers and those with leadership responsibility. No previous experience of linguistics or previous courses is required. It is designed to assess the effectiveness of the communication styles in your workplace and identify the type of communications culture where you work. It will offer alternative strategies for future business talk. If you want to explore this topic in more depth, the University Of Nottingham has a suite of follow-on online CPD courses on business communication covering a range of topics, delivered by international experts in the field.